Well, I finally did it.

[daTeacha]

Made up my mind that is. I called the dealer this morning and talked with the brother of my salesman, who is out today. I told him to hang a sold sign on the Case DX-29 with 114 loader that I drove last weekend. They'll install a rear hydraulic valve and run plumbing to the loader hookup from there so I can put a grapple on it easily and get a plate to cover the opening left when they remove the mid-PTO so it doesn't get caught up on a log or something. It has R4 tires and yes, a hydro not gears. The thing is just way smoother to move very slowly than even my 'Bota in creeper gear. I just hope I picked the right size. With the ROPS folded, the hard points are 69" above the ground and 46" wide. I hung a 2x2 on the ROPS of the 'Bota and drove into and out of the woodshed without hitting the rafters, so I presume it will fit where I need to take it.

Whew, this has been a long process, but I appreciate all the give and take from you guys. I guess I'm now officially in the Red camp. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Humbleto]

Congrats daTeacha, You must have an early rising dealer. I went through a long decision making process myself when I finally decided on a Kubota. As it turned out the dealer I went with was the best and the closest. He just happened to be in the rental business and also a dealer.

 

[Spiffy]

Congrats!

the Red Camp /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif My PT is Red; also I have your machine's namesake [the original Farmall: they were a tough machine, though the "F" series carburation was much less fickle], but don't think either one applies here! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

Congrats! I think you'll have enough tractor in that model. It's a nice tractor, enjoy.
John

 

[chemistski]

Congrats and enjoy. Of course we all wish to see pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RedRocker]

You'll love it, one trip through the door with the ROPS up will clearance it for you. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[daTeacha]

I got over there today to talk with the guy I've been working with. I made some small changes. We looked at tire sizes. The Ags are 11.2 x 24 rear and 7 x 14 front. The R4s are 15 x 19.5 rear and 8.5 wide in the front. I went with the Ags and will be able to get into a 6 inch narrower place. The fronts are 6 ply with either style, and the rears are 4 ply with either style. I've never holed one of the Kubota ag tires, so I hope the same holds true for these.

I saved some bucks on the tires, which I put toward getting the Q.A. loader plate and matching bucket. The real farmer who makes up our hay is switching from the small rectangular bales to the large rectangular ones that will weigh 800 or 1000 lb each. With those bales to move around, I figured I might need a bale spear or something similar in the future. That move on his part is no small factor in deciding on the larger tractor, too.

Lastly, I'm going to have the hydraulic lines run up the loader arms and have another set of quick connects at the front where the Add-a-Grapple will connect. The dealer is going to get the Add-a-Grapple shipped to them so they can have it on the tractor and make up the lines right there. I figured that between the rollback and dump angles -- close to 80 degrees total movement, I think -- and the motion of the grapple up and down there would be a fair amount of movement to allow for. It'll just be a much neater and cleaner installation if the tractor, loader, and grapple is right there for them to fit it all together, with a lot less chance of hoses hanging all over the place.

Later, I hope to redo my 6' auction special home built rear blade to fit the Q.A. plates on the loader, add a cylinder to it, and have a hydraulic turn feature on the blade while the loader controls will allow me to lift and tilt it from the seat. It'll be like T'n'T on the front end, which should be about perfect for snow plowing. Of course, I might need to get another blade for the rear to drag snow away from the garage /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif, but that one will be nicer than the one I have now.

 

[aesanders]

Super. Now we just need some pictures so we know you are not bull***** us (just kidding), but would like pictures none the less.

 

[daTeacha]

They're guessing about 2 weeks before the tires, valve, and QA plate and bucket arrive and are installed. They don't know yet about the grapple. It may come direct from Missouri (Precisionmfg.com) or it may have to come from another dealer in Ohio (Koenig Farm Equipment), depending on the marketing arrangements.

I'll be taking 75 high schoolers on a weekend long excursion that weekend, so I'm not sure exactly when it will be at my place. When it arrives, I'll get some pics posted for you guys. A size comparison between the DX29 and the B7100 should be interesting.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Sounds great! Those Case machines sure are Purdy! It'll be nice!

I would really like to see how the grapple is actuated. Will you use a third valve or diverter? Where is the control located? Of course, you will probably post pics of these things ( /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) Thanks!

 

[daTeacha]

I'm getting the grapple from Precision Manufacturing (precisionmfg.com, I think). The dealer will install the rear valve offered as an option on the tractor, then run lines to the point where the loader lines connect. They will also run lines from there along the loader frame and to a point forward where they'll set up another set of quick connects. From that set, I'll be able to connect lines from the grapple itself. The unit I'm getting is the single grapple that bolts to the bucket. They offer a twin set also. This one with mount weighs 147 lb and costs about $575 according to the guys at Koenig Equipment in southern Ohio. The double weighs 226 lb. I hope it will plumb in as easilyand be as handy a tool as I think.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Sounds cool How do you control it?

 

[daTeacha]

I'm presuming using the control lever for the rear hydraulics will control the grapple since it's plumbed through that valve. It'll work similarly to the rear 3 point lever -- one way opens it and the other way closes it. The dealer is waiting to get it to determine what size lines to run, based on the size of the cylinder and what would be a good speed for the thing. He thinks it'll be better if it doesn't work real fast, and I tend to agree. It's not like I'll be trying to catch birds with it or something. The dealer ordered it direct from Precision Manufacturing at $500 plus shipping.

While looking around this site today, I saw a similar unit offered by ATI in New Holland, Pa. Theirs is intended to be cut and welded to the correct length rather than having a telescoping tube, but it's otherwise pretty similar looking. No cost was listed in their on-line catalog. They make a lot of interesting looking stuff to hook onto your tractor. They're among the sponsoring advertisers here, I think.

 

[texbaylea]

On my rig I have 3/8 lines from the rear valves to the front of the FEL but used 1/4 lines to slow down the grapple operation. I have the ATI single unit by the way

Vernon

 

[daTeacha]

How well does it work?